The coronavirus pandemic has added a new dimension to international competition even as it has underscored global connectivity in a new and challenging way.

Diplomats working around the world to knit together a coordinated response are doing without their customary personal touch and with the added responsibility of shepherding their compatriots through an unprecedented health and economic crisis.

Join Global Atlanta May 8 for the first virtual edition of Consular Conversations, our ongoing series of interviews with consuls general working in the Southeast United States, sponsored by Miller & Martin PLLC.

Our monthly luncheons may be on indefinite hiatus, but these discussions are as important as ever at a time when cross-border collaboration is at a premium.

For this edition, we’re welcoming Japanese Consul General Kazuyuki Takeuchi, British Consul General Andrew Staunton and Bahamian Consul General Astra Armbrister-Rolle to provide an overview on their countries’ approaches to combating COVID-19 and shoring up their economies, as well as how their offices have pivoted to serve the interests of their countries and citizens during the crisis here in Atlanta.

Our Speakers:

Kazuyuki Takeuchi, Consul General of Japan

Mr. Kazuyuki Takeuchi graduated from the University of Tokyo with a degree in Economics in March 1985 and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) the following month.
In 2007 he was appointed Director of the Economic Security Division in the Economic Affairs Bureau of MOFA. Then in 2008, he became Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy in Myanmar where he stayed for three years. His next post took him to the Embassy in Germany where he served as a Minister from 2011 until 2014.
In 2014, he returned to Japan to join the Sendai Immigration Bureau in the Ministry of Justice as the Director-General.
His most recent post was that of Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy in Austria from 2016 until September 2019.
He arrived in Atlanta, Georgia for his first North American Appointment as Consul General for the Consulate General of Japan (managing the states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, & South Carolina) in September 2019. Mr. Takeuchi is joined by his wife.

Andrew Staunton, Consul General of the United Kingdom

Andrew Staunton took up his appointment in Atlanta as Her Majesty’s Consul General in June 2018. Andrew is the senior UK government representative in the Southeast United States responsible for relations with the states of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Alabama. He leads a team which works to promote UK-US trade and investment, support British nationals, conduct public diplomacy on key issues, and build scientific and research co-operation. He also sits on the Marshall Scholarship selection committee.

Before taking up his posting in Atlanta, Andrew served four years as Deputy Head of Mission and Economic Counsellor at the British Embassy in Athens. He was also Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Dublin from 2009 to 2013. Throughout both of these postings, Andrew’s main focus was on the economic crises in Greece and Ireland, boosting bilateral relations, promoting the UK’s interests, and working on a range of issues linked to the European Union. Prior to this, Andrew worked in the Foreign Office as Deputy Director responsible for Security.

Andrew joined the UK’s diplomatic service in 1987. He has also served overseas in China, France, Romania and Canada.

Andrew was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He is accompanied in Atlanta by his wife, Rebecca. They have two adult children, both living in the UK.

Astra Armbrister-Rolle, Consul General of the Bahamas

Astra Armbrister-Rolle currently serves as Consul General to The Bahamas Consulate in Atlanta, Georgia. As a first time envoy, Rolle brings a wealth of experience as a fundraising professional in the non-profit sector specializing in annual giving management, prospect development and donor stewardship. Having served in both private and not-for-profit entities, Rolle has managed the portfolios of organizations, implemented fundraising strategies, oversaw membership and grants programs, and coordinated volunteer leadership for fundraising efforts and major campaigns. All of which were skillsets fostered through her membership of the American Association of Fundraising Professionals and further utilized during her tenure as Director of Development with the Bahamas National Trust, Nassau, Bahamas.

Nation building and policy development both domestic and foreign have always been
Rolle’s priority. As early as 15yrs Rolle made a promise to her parents and family to
return home and help to make The Bahamas a better place. Having lived in Canada
briefly, Rolle is an alumnus of McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario.

In fulfillment of her promise made to her parents, since returning to The Bahamas Rolle has served as a council member for the FNM Torchbearers Youth Association and is an active member of The Bahamas Toastmasters program. Embracing her family heritage and as a descent of Acklins Island Rolle serves as Secretary General to the Acklins Trade and Development Association and a member of the Lovely Bay Development
Association where the work of both organizations assists the residents of Acklins Island with economic opportunities and seeks to develop the island.

Mrs. Armbrister-Rolle is happily married and a mother to one son. Her hobbies include public speaking, cooking and reading.

Registration Details

Registration is limited to the first 100 attendees. Global Atlanta email newsletter subscribers and Consular Conversations annual pass holders will be prioritized.

This event is free, but the $40 Consular Conversations annual pass is available. While we’re unable to meet in person or offer luncheons for the foreseeable pandemic future, we’re providing the following benefits to those who buy/renew the pass through the end of May:

• Early notification and priority registration for limited virtual event slots
• Extension of annual pass validity to all in-person luncheons through the end of 2021
• Access to digital recordings of live online events, even without attending
• Access to e-book with Consular Conversations summaries